Integrating exercise is medicine® into the care of pregnant women

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2013 Jul-Aug;12(4):245-7. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e31829a6f7e.

Abstract

A majority of women do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity before and during pregnancy. Physically active women experience fewer complications of pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and low back pain, to name only a few. Exercise is Medicine encourages adults to achieve a minimum of 150 min·wk of moderate-intensity physical activity, and the same is true for women having uncomplicated pregnancies. Prenatal care is an opportune time to counsel women on how to achieve an active lifestyle to support their own health and the health of their developing fetus.

MeSH terms

  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Pregnancy / physiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / physiopathology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control*
  • Prenatal Care / methods*
  • Women's Health*